How to Host a Birthday Party for Your Kids

[Why:] Children’s participation in preparing their own birthday party can stimulate children’s creativity and let children participate in more family activities. Children’s birthday party is not only the best social opportunity for children, but also a good opportunity for parents to communicate and interact.

[How:]

1. Define a Start and End Time

• If your party is at home, it is important to have a beginning and ending time. Don’t leave the party open-ended as it could confuse guests and keep them from planning for the rest of the day.

• Parties for kids under 5 should be set for about 90 minutes or 2 hours tops.

2. _ Include Relevant Info in the Invitation_

• Address

• Date & Time

• Gust of honor

• Indicate if a child should be dropped off or if you’d prefer an adult to stay. (Dropping off usually begins around age 5 or 6.)

• If parents do leave their children, get a phone number where they can be reached if there are any problems.

• Note if you are serving food , if possible, let other parents know what’s on the menu

3. Choose the Location

• Most people will choose to hold parties at home.

• If you don’t have the room or the inclination to host the party at home, you can  consider:

• Renting Park venues (free venues usually need to arrive early to occupy space)

• Community center

• Church/ Firehouse

• Restaurant

• Your local daycare center

4. Set the Menu

• You can choose something quick to prepare and are likely to please your adult guests:

• Cake

• Pizza

• Chicken nuggets

• Small sandwiches

• Hot dogs

• Bagels

• Vegetables and dip

• Fruit

• There are many allergic people in the United States. When preparing food, parents must ask whether the guests have allergic problems.

5. Active Games

• Free play

• naughty fort

• Scavenger Hunt

• Peekaboo

• Piñata

• The game is to hang a piñata stuffed with candy or toys, and then the children line up to beat the doll with sticks in turn (according to the tradition, they will cover their eyes) to see who can break it and let the candy fall out, and then the children can share it together

• Dragon Tag, Tails, or Sock Tag

• To play this game, start by giving each child an old sock to tuck into a back pocket or waistband (their “tail”). The object of the game is to grab other players’ “dragon tail” without losing your own.

• Any player who loses a tail must sit down, but if another player passes close enough, the tail-less player can grab himself a new tail and re-enter the game.

• Relays Are Classic Games for a Kids’ Party

• You need two ropes for jump rope relay. Split players into two teams and establish a finish line.

• Start by giving each team one jump rope. When you say “Go!” the first two players from each team race to the goal line and back, skipping rope. Then, they’ll hand off the rope to the next player and the race continues.

6. Presents

• Presents can be a highlight of the special day. If you decide to open them during the festivities, you may need to coach your child a little. If your child gets a duplicate or something they do not like, make sure they understands not to announce it to the world.

7. Goodbye bags

• Hand out goodbye bags at the end, as the children leave, so you greatly reduce the chance of lost items or misunderstandings.

• There are plenty of options:

• Stickers

• Notepads

• Pens

• Drink cups

• Cookies

• Small toys

• Books or coloring books and crayons

• Or buy some prepackaged goodbye bags